Hey everyone, this is my first post on CBR250 thread as I recently picked up a used CBR250R ABS run approx 25k kms. It was maintained in a good way and I already clocked around 1k kms in 15 days since I have had it. I had been facing minor issue and decided to try the local official Honda SVC in Mira road today since the local FNG did not stock the original parts I intended to replace. The service advisor confirmed that the bike is in good nick and I don't need much work on it. However, we still went ahead with front disk pad change and chain cam tensioner replacement as planned. Additionally, the service advisor asked to top up the fork oil (without actually replacing the oil seals that is. I'm surprised this could be done). The overall estimated cost was approx 4k and the bill actually turned out to be close to 5k with break up as follows:
Parts (Nissin front brake pad, clutch/accelerator cables, chain tensioner, fork oil)+ tax (3842)
Labour (Front Disk pad - 350, Chain sprocket service - 250, Accelerator cable change - 350 (Total with taxes - 1121)
Trying to wrap my head around the labour charges, does 1k + seem reasonable for such a minor job? Probably a competent roadside FNG specializing in CBR's would have managed this work in less than half the cost I feel.
Additionally, they ended up doing a terrible bike washing and completely conked off my dual hella horn setup stating it was non-functional right from the start. After, a lot of haggling with the advisor, they decided to look into it and spent almost an hour drying up the horns and wiring cutout with blowing up air to bring back the horns to life.
Coming to the complaints, I specifically asked them to check for the grinding/howling noise from the front section and they narrowed it down to the almost worn out brake pads but replacing the pads made no much difference. Now they say that the disk rotor will also need replacement to sort this issue.
Asked them to adjust the headlight angle, the CBR specialist mechanic said the angle cannot be adjusted on CBR. I smirked and showed them the specific bolt/nut to adjust the headlight throw as mentioned in the manual and asked them to do it but they denied saying it's a LED setup so they can't touch it. I let it go without any argument on that and decided it to sort this with a DIY method as per manual later.
I had complained about a minor tick/click from front fork/handlebars during hard braking suspecting the cone set may need an adjustment. The advisor acknowledged the issue on his test rides and said fork oil top-up will sort out the issue. Paid 800 for this but no difference.
All in all, a pretty lackluster first ever experience with authorized HMSI SVC.
On a plus side, the SVC was huge, well maintained, organized and the staff was polite and courteous even though I kind of lost my cool a bit during delivery when I was told about the horn fiasco. Also, I did a preventive replacement of most spares so asked the SVC to give back the used ones for emergencies and they happily obliged.
I feel I should stick to a local CBR mechanic in Mumbai/Thane? Any leads to a good mechanic/garage who can also source the genuine Honda CBR parts as needed?
Any comments on this experience?
Thanks
EDIT - Just browsed last few pages and duly noted the recommendations on Vihaan Honda Thane and Pace&Pixel Motors (I called them today morning to confirm service appointment and the parts availability) but no answer, hence I had to go authorized SVC way.




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